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NEA provides guidance and resources for returning to classrooms safely, and with an emphasis on racial and social justice.
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COVID-19 and Child Nutrition: Dos and Don’ts

Follow these best practices for providing free meals to students and their families during coronavirus-related school closures.
By: National Education Association
Published: May 6, 2020

DO...

  • Ask your state to apply for the area eligibility waiver, so that you can start providing more meal sites.
  • Provide multiple meals at a time in areas where it may be difficult for families to get to meal sites.
  • Ensure families have enough to eat by asking your state to participate in Pandemic-EBT and Emergency SNAP allotments.
  • Encourage operators who participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) to provide breakfast and lunch to participating families during closures.

DON'T...

  • Deny meals to caregivers who show up at meal sites without their children. The USDA permits caregivers to pick up meals without children.
  • Forget to collaborate with local food banks to provide groceries to the entire household.
  • Assume meal site volunteers know how to safely distribute meals. Provide guidance.
  • Increase the risk of infection by centralizing food preparation and distribution. Decentralize and engage multiple kitchens.
NEA provides guidance and resources for returning to classrooms safely, and with an emphasis on racial and social justice.

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